Lauren D'Arinzo, of Norwalk, works at the drive-through only Palmwich restaurant at 205 Post Road in Darien, Conn. on Tuesday, June 3, 2014. The building was formerly a drive-through cleaners.
Photo: Brian A. Pounds

From left; Jeff Smith, of Brookfield, Nikhil Mahajan, of Stamford, and Peter Dunwood, of Danbury, peruse the menu at the drive-through only Palmwich restaurant at 205 Post Road in Darien, Conn. on Tuesday, June 3, 2014.
Photo: Brian A. Pounds

Restaurateurs have pumped life back into commercial properties throughout the region as they exhibit more faith in the economy and see residents in one of the nation's wealthiest counties more willing to spend.

Many of them are backed by well-heeled investors who like the idea of owning a restaurant where diners -- some of whom enjoy the opportunity to see and be seen -- can get a good meal prepared by an internationally known chef.

"A lot of restaurants aren't owned by the restaurateur -- they're investor driven, said Linda Kavanagh, director of the New England Culinary Group in Stamford. "It's a social thing. They may be investing in a chef that they've loved over the years."

But Kavanagh said she has seen an increase restaurant starts across the county as it emerges from the recession, finding space in unique or under-utilized buildings. Others have settled into newly constructed properties, built at prime locations that demand high rents, resulting in expensive dinner tabs.

`Tired of empty space'

"There's definitely an upswing for sure. It started almost a year ago because landlords were tired of seeing their space empty. They were giving good deals," she said. "They were willing to work with restaurants more than ever."

Montello has a long history of being a pioneer in opening restaurants and nightspots in the region. He opened the Art Bar in downtown Stamford in 1992 -- early in the development of the district as a destination for diners and people going out for an evening.

"They gave me a food deal to open Barnum Publick House," said Montello, who saw potential in the neighborhood and its proximity to the Webster Bank Arena and court house buildings. "Downtown had great lighting and parking, and the nearby apartments were 95 percent occupied."

He said he was pleased to see projects like the one undertaken by Forstone Capital in Darien to create 60 apartments and office space in reconstructed buildings at 899 and 930 Main St.

Bistro B

Montello did not stop at opening the Barnum Publick House. He followed it with the opening of the Bistro B, a 35-seat restaurant at 1006 Broad St., last year, another GDC property. This week, he signed a lease with GDC to expand the Barnum House and create a private dining area for 30 to 40 people.

"Rents in Bridgeport are one-third of what they are in Stamford," Montello said, comparing the restaurant scene in Bridgeport to what he saw in the early 1990s in Stamford. "I feel like I'm getting in on the ground floor."

Steven Matsis, senior managing director of the Pyramid Restaurant Group in Stamford, estimated the typical rental rate for restaurant space in Stamford is in the $40 to $50 per square foot range.

An early participant in the "Alive@5" summer concert series in Stamford, Montello is involved in "Downtown Thursdays," a similar program in Bridgeport.

Not for amateurs

Montello has become a strong supporter of downtown Bridgeport and its potential, Kavanagh said.

"He is so passionate about this city's rise in popularity, he attached himself to other properties and is hoping to bring other lower Fairfield County restaurateurs into the area," she said. "Steve's approach is both as a real estate professional and a successful restaurateur. The restaurant potential in Bridgeport is and has been increasing over the last few years."

Owners of another nearby restaurant that sees potential in the district are Jennifer Galletti, Thomas Bepko and Pasquale DeMartino, owners of Trattoria `A Vucchella, which opened in April on Fairfield Avenue, only a few blocks from the Barnum Publick House. DeMartino is chef at the restaurant, which fills a space once occupied by a French bistro.

"We like the community, and we want to support the revitalization of downtown Bridgeport," Galletti said. "We're hoping for more diverse restaurants to come."

But restaurateurs must weigh rental expenses when they come to a community, Matsis said, adding the cost of food also is a consideration.

"Food costs are through the roof. I've seen it 42 percent of gross sales, which is outrageous," he said, commenting that costs have led restaurateurs to close after only a few months to change their concepts and reopen under a new name and strategy. "I discourage people with no experience from opening a restaurant. If you don't have experience (owning or working at one), you don't have any business opening a restaurant."